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By: The Opinion Updated 08 Jun 2022, 21: 54 pm EDT
The House of Representatives passed a sweeping gun control bill on Wednesday in response to recent shootings mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that would raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 a 21 years and would prohibit the sale of ammunition and magazines with a capacity of more than 15 cartridges.
The vote went from 199 to 199, mostly along party lines, with nearly all Democrats voting “yes” and all but a small group of Republicans voting “no” to retaining the policy in a larger arms package.
Legislation passed has almost no chance of becoming law while the Senate conducts negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, strengthening school safety and improving background checks.
But the House bill allows Democratic lawmakers the opportunity to frame voters in November where they stand on policies that polls show they have broad support.
“We can’t save every life, but, my God, shouldn’t we try? The United States listens to you and today in the House we are taking the measures you demand,” said Representative Veronica Escobar, Democrat of Texas. “Take note of who is with you and who is not.”
The push comes after a House committee heard harrowing testimony from victims recent shootings and relatives, including the girl from 04 years old Miah Cerrillo, who covered himself in the blood of a dead classmate to avoid being shot at Uvalde Elementary School.
The cycle The seemingly endless number of mass shootings in the United States has rarely prompted Congress to act. But the shooting of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde has reignited efforts to such an extent that lawmakers from both parties speak of the need to respond.
“It is disgusting, it is disgusting that our children are forced to live with this constant fear”, said the president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Pelosi said the House vote “would make history by making progress.” But it’s unclear where the House measure will go after Wednesday’s vote, as Republicans stood firm in their opposition.
The House bill also includes incentives designed to increase the use of secure gun storage devices and creates penalties for violating storage requirements insurance, providing a fine and imprisonment of up to five years if a weapon is not stored properly and is subsequently used by a minor to injure or commit suicide.
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